Cops Care seeks donations

For 21 years, the Cops Care program has provided Christmas joy to hundreds of low-income children in the area and this year plans to be no exception.

Eddie O'Neill

For 21 years, the Cops Care program has provided Christmas joy to hundreds of low-income children in the area and this year plans to be no exception. "There is just so many good things that come out of this program," said Andy Davis who has been in charge of organizing the event for more than a decade. In March of this year, Davis retired from the Phelps County Sheriff's Department after a long career in law enforcement. The event pairs a needy child with a law enforcement official for a morning of a Christmas shopping together at the Rolla Walmart. The program is sponsored by the sheriff's department. Davis said children are selected through the county's six elementary schools. The teachers select those kids who are most in need. Around 100 children go shopping each year, according to Davis. "This is one of those things that has been near and dear to my heart over the years," he said. "Seeing the glitter in the kids' eyes when they are able to buy something for themselves is awesome."David added that it is not just the kids who are touched but the officers as well. "I do not care how tough some of these officers are out on the streets. They all melt when they take part in this," he said.Davis said in addition to the sheriff's department, every law enforcement agency in the county takes part."The FBI comes and we get the Forest Service and its agency. We get a little bit of everybody," Davis told the Daily News. The program relies on the generous citizens of Phelps County to make this program a success. Davis shared that for the past few years, donations have been on a slow decline. "Sponsoring one child with a $75 donation would help us out a lot," he said.For more information or to donate, contact the Sheriff's Department at 573-426-3860.